Sheath cleaning, the Bechtolsheimer way!

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Posted: 11/11/2008

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Library > Health & Well-Being > Horse Health

Poor Laura! She drew the short straw on this one!! By popular request, we have made a video on cleaning a gelding's sheath! Probably not most people's favourite job but necessary for the health and well-being of your horse. Laura demonstrates the 'black (and smelly) art' on her Olympic horse, Alf, and gives some handy pointers! We also recommend you see the 'out-takes' version of this video in the Library, called 'The Delicate Matter of Willies' - it's sure to make you laugh!

Laura Bechtolsheimer's tips for cleaning a sheath!

Wear clean rubber gloves (or it will take days to get rid of the smell on your hands)!
Check every 10-14 days to see if your gelding's sheath needs cleaning.
Alternatively, you will know by the smell! They smell more when the horse has been travelling.
Make sure your horse knows you are there. Laura recommends resting your free hand on their side....

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Comments

Horse Hero Guru 2 Aug 2009 I think that it all depends on the wet wipes - many are alcohol based which means they are too strong for such a delicate area. Sheaths are designed to be self cleansing, but since we keep our horses on a far richer diet than they would eat in the wild, there is a far greater build up of smegma, so we have to give nature a helping hand. I would recommend using clean water only - and it has the advantage of being cheaper than wet wipes or soapy water!

Sassy2k9 31 Jul 2009

Hi, my friend and I are having a little bit of a debate about how to clean it...she said that she uses fragrence free wet-wipes and she cleans it every 15 days. Is she all right to use wet-wipes, I'm not sure?!

Laura Bechtolsheimer 21 Nov 2008 Ha thanks - not my favourite job I must say! About the soapy water - I'm not vet so not sure. I know my parents say they used to fully clean them but I think its meant to be a protective grease too so I guess as long as you don't go overboard its fine and make sure you are hygienic as far as using clean cloths and washing them after!!

Scotty 19 Nov 2008 I use warm soapy water as well to wash it out, or should you only pick off the bits?

murialpa 15 Nov 2008 Laura you are awesome whether in the saddle or not!! Hope this doesn't come back to haunt you. But RESPECT!! And good luck for the future - go girl!!!!!!

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